AAGPBL Expansion

May 14 to May 25, 1944, was the time set for the second spring training camp for the AAGPBL. It was held in Peru, Illinois, and one hundred twenty girls, six managers and all league personnel were housed either at the Peru Hotel or at the St. Francis Hotel in Peru's twin city, LaSalle. There was access to three diamonds for the camp, swimming pools and a gym. Ruth Tiffany School was contracted to run the nightly charm school. The emphasis was to make "bright stars" of each player by integrating a healthy mind and a healthy body. The arts of walking, sitting, speaking, selecting clothes, applying make-up, and social skills were again part of the program. The importance of being feminine and projecting the image of "The All-American Girl Next Door," along with outstanding athletic ability, continued to be on the top of Wrigley's list of priorities.

As a result of the success of the League in its first year, civic groups in each of the four cities agreed to finance their own franchises. This gave Wrigley the opportunity to try his dream of placing the girls' teams in Major League parks. He, Paul Harper, and Branch Rickey agreed to finance two additional teams to play in American Association ball parks in Minneapolis and Milwaukee. League scheduling for the 1944 season was structured to play in the minor league stadiums of these two cities during the time periods the men were on road trips. Former Major League Hall of Famer, Max Carey, became the manager for the newly formed Milwaukee Chicks, and Bubber Jonnard, was chosen to manage the Minneapolis Millerettes.